Stephen Leiby

Birth: Jan. 7, 1831

Death: Apr. 29, 1902

The following obituary disagrees with the date of death inscribed on the grave stone (May 29). Using the date of the paper (May 3) and the verbage, the death date should be April 29, 1902. Using his birth date and death at age 71 years, 3 months, and 22 days, the death date of April 29, 1902 is also supported. There was a smaller grave marker, representing his civil war service in Company A, 4th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry.

The Dale Recorder, May 3, 1902, Page 1, Col. 3: "FOUND DEAD IN BED - Stephen Leiby Retires and Passes to His Last Long Rest

"Stephen Leiby, a pioneer of this community was found dead in bed, by his wife Tuesday mroning at about 2 o'clcock. He had retired at the customary hour, and although he had complained of experiencing pains in the region of his chest during the afternoon and had been visited by the doctor, at bed time he announced that he was feeling quite easy; so his condition was not such as to cause any alarm to the family. His wife likewise retired early, feeling very tired, and so slept soundly not awakening before 2 o'clock, to administer his medicine. Receiving no response to her summons, she then made the awful discovery as stated: a glance and a touch being sufficient to reveal that the spirit had fled. All warmth had left the body by that time, indicating that it must have been between the hours of 11 and 12 that the life thread snapped.

"The attending physician was summoned and after making the usual examination announced that Mr. Leiby had evidently been dead about three hours and that apolexy was the probably cause.

"The news of Mr. Leiby's passing away when made known to many of his old neighbors and friends, fell like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. During the previous forenoon be came to town on his way to his daughter's, Lydia's, home and in the afternoon busied himself at work in the garden. Some time later he stated that he was not feeling as well as usual, but would not consent to having the doctor sent for, saying he was not sick enough for that. Notwithstanding his request it was decided best to have the doctor called, and this was done, the call being responded to about 5 o'clock.

"Steve, as he was familiarly known throughout the locality, was everybody's friend and a friend to everybody. His genial disposition, kindly nature and big heartedness made him popular and beloved by all.

"The deceased attained the age of 71 years, 3 months and 22 days.

"The funeral took place yesteday (Friday) afternoon, from the late home and was largely attended. Interment took place in the Dale cemetery, east of the village; the remains being gently borne to the grave by the G.A.R. comrads of the departed one. Besides the grief-sticken widow, there survive to mourn three daughters, a son, four sisters and three brothers."

Family links:

Parents:

 George Leiby (1804 - 1867)

 Polly Zeigler Leiby (1808 - 1877)

Children:

 Daniel Leiby (1857 - 1881)*

 Harrison Leiby (1864 - 1941)*

Spouse:

 Mary Ann Weikel Leiby (1838 - 1915)

• Point here for explanation

Burial:

Dale Union Cemetery

Dale

Outagamie County

Wisconsin, USA